title: A web-based decision support system for dietary analysis and recommendations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because of lack of integrated databases for Chinese menus and the need for nutrition information by dietitians in Taiwan, we developed a Web-based platform for dietary analysis and recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fuzzy decision model was utilized to develop a Web-based support system that searches food composition databases, calculates dietary intake, and provides the guidance for decision making in nutrition counseling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The online support system generated menu- or food-based recommendations using a fuzzy decision model. The homogeneity of food composition between five selected menus generated by the fuzzy decision model in a randomly selective case was strongly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.31-0.99. The correlation coefficients were 0.42-0.45 and 0.13-0.44 between food composition of five most correlated menus or five selected menus generated by the fuzzy decision model and nutrient requirements computed by the fuzzy decision model, respectively. The most correlated menus and the menus generated by the fuzzy decision model were also similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recommended menus generated by the fuzzy decision model are considerably reliable and valid, and the online support system for dietary analysis and recommendations can provide a Web-based and decision-making tool for dietitians in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Informatics, Taipei Medical University , Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Yeh
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Li-Chieh
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tzuo Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Fu
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jane C-J
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016208:Databases, Factual; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004032:Diet; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013624:Taiwan